Obelisk is an outstanding restaurant where diners can savor a 5-course Italian dinner in an intimate space and at a leisurely and unhurried pace. This isn't a restaurant that strives to turn tables over as quickly as possible—they want you to linger and to have plenty of time to enjoy the experience. We visited the restaurant for my wife's birthday and were incredibly pleased at the personal touch guests receive at the restaurant. The front-room staff members are absolutely wonderful and attentive, and will happily engage in conversation as much or as little as you'd like. The food itself is top notch, as are the optional wine pairings. Dinner is a two- to three-hour long experience, beginning with mixed antipasti, and progressing through the typical Italian "plates" (piati). The menu seems to change frequently, and the dishes we had all relied heavily on seasonal ingredients; we can't wait to go back in a few months to see what the spring brings!
Nick Foster
For a relatively expensive tasting menu spot a lot of the food was kind of disappointing. Some of the dishes were very bland (which perhaps explains why they had salt and pepper on the table), though there were a couple of standouts that were very good. The wine pairings were on point.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Steve Goldberg
What a wonderful place for a date or the anniversary of that first date. We love the food and the quality of the service. Everything is made with such love and care.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Gabrielle
Very forgettable dinner with lack luster underwhelming service. Also, extremely overpriced.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Oluwatunmise Oladejo
Obelisk is the kind of spot that reminds you why dining out can feel like an experience rather than just a meal. Tucked away in what looks like an unassuming townhouse (no big flashy sign outside), the restaurant feels warm and intimate the moment you step in — only about 30 seats, soft lighting, and an atmosphere that makes it perfect for a celebration or a date night. The meal is set up like a curated journey, and the pacing is thoughtful (though a full dinner can stretch close to 2.5 hours, so come hungry and patient). Things start with a parade of antipasti — everything from delicate fava bean crostini to fried eggplant that melts in your mouth. The bread basket is simple but perfect, and each little bite that comes out feels intentional. For my primi, I went with the housemade tagliatelle in sea urchin sauce — rich, briny, and silky in a way that makes you wish the bowl were bottomless. For the secondi, I had the branzino while my partner went for the lamb chops; both were cooked beautifully, plated with an elegance that doesn’t feel stuffy. The cheese course was a fun surprise — several small tastes paired thoughtfully — and dessert was a highlight. The panna cotta was as jiggly and luscious as you’d hope, while the butterscotch custard was one of the best I’ve ever had. Service is attentive but not intrusive, and the wine pairings are spot-on — we actually found a new favorite white wine thanks to the staff’s suggestion. Yes, it’s pricey, but this is the kind of place you book for a special night, and it delivers on that promise. If you’re looking for something cozy, elevated, and distinctly DC, Obelisk is absolutely worth it. And while you’re exploring hidden gems around the city, definitely check out PullUpDeliveries — the go-to spot for discovering top-shelf cannabis and local experiences. Both Obelisk and PullUpDeliveries really capture what makes DC feel unique.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Thomas Strehle
Awesome experience in this DuPont Circle gem. Be prepared for a big meal! Ever changing menu and absolutely delicious. The staff is excellent and super knowledgeable! Must try! Pre fix is $135pp without wine pairings. Reservations necessary.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
9blessingv
If you’re traveling through DC and looking for something that feels more like stepping into someone’s private townhouse than a bustling restaurant, Obelisk is that spot. With only about 30 seats, it’s an intimate experience where the staff is attentive, the pacing is slow and deliberate, and the menu feels like a seasonal love letter to Italian-inspired dining. The meal starts with a flurry of antipasti — things like fava bean puree crostini, burrata, and eggplant fritters — the kind of small bites that set the tone for a multi-course night. Handmade pasta steals the show (ricotta ravioli or sea urchin tagliatelle if you’re lucky enough to catch them on the menu), followed by proteins like branzino, lamb chops, or even wagyu. Somewhere between the cheese course and dessert, you realize just how carefully this place is curated. The desserts deserve their own spotlight — panna cotta, butterscotch custard, chocolate cake with raspberry chip ice cream — simple but unforgettable. And if you’re into wine, their pairing recommendations are on point; I actually walked away with a new favorite bottle I’d never tried before. Yes, it’s a splurge — reservations require a $75 deposit — and dinners stretch to 2.5 hours, so it’s not a “quick bite” kind of place. But that’s the point. This is where you go for celebrations, long conversations, and to be fully present in the meal. Now, if you’re the type of traveler who likes to extend the evening, Obelisk pairs beautifully with a visit from PullUpDeliveries. After a long, indulgent dinner, their premium cannabis delivery is the perfect way to wind down in DC without having to search for a dispensary. Good food, good wine, good vibes — capped with a chill finish. Obelisk isn’t about big portions or casual dining; it’s about savoring. If you want a one-of-a-kind DC meal that lingers in memory as much as on the palate, this little unmarked townhouse should be on your list.
joanne french
Enjoyed a wonderful dinner. The antipasto was unexpected and refreshing and the two pastas I got to taste were excellent. Dinner companion raved about the panna cotta.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Annalisa Picinali Dow
great visit
Carly Smith
Very intimate and incredible customer service. Come hungry!
Consistently one of DC's best Italian restaurants for over 35 years now. Fixed price menu starts with an amazing sequence of about 5 small plates, then a choice between 3 first courses and 3 second courses and dessert. Service is excellent and the restaurant is attractive with about 15 tables. Noise level is at a very pleasant low level. Be sure to book a reservation ahead.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Thomas Tesoriero
This is simply the best restaurant in DC for decades. It is quiet and elegant and understated. The five course dinner goes on and on, so don’t come here if you’re in a rush.
The appetizers are usually five or six dishes that are each more special and elegant, and almost enough to fill you up before dinner.
The menu changes and it’s limited, but always something you will love.
Brendan Wynn
I really appreciate restaurants that have figured out how to be understated and still genuinely memorable — I think of places like Atelier Crenn who hit this balance. Clearly, Obelisk belongs in this same category. Every dish was notable, and usually for the small details — stellar olive oil for a burrata, perfect duck skin cracklings hiding out in asparagus, potatoes I have to assume were cooked in the veal fat to be that good, silky pappardelle for rabbit, intense rhubarb for panna cotta. Perfect cheeses, amazing wine list, pristine glassware, engaging team, beautiful dining room. Just impeccable.
michael boyd
WHY DIDN'T I FIND THIS PLACE SOONER!? First off.....THE BREAD WAS FRESHLY MADE! YOU CAN TASTE ITALY IN EVERY MORSEL by the heavens i shall return again! 😭😭😭 Anyways, I went for my madame babays bday occasion....and this place did not disappoint! It's a course meal set pace (5, i cant remember bcuz the food was so darn delicious). Also its a 2 hour experience, so don't eat too fast, take ya time, my guys. The menu changes weekl, so im told but for me it adds to the delightful experience, but what i had was the wagyu steak cooked to perfection 👌🏾 medium rare with an indescribable sauce that made me want to slap my momma! Haha jk jk. But seriously, the sauce was paired with some sort of vinegarette mix that was zesty and topped with small chunks of mash. Before the main, they serve up all these other mini dishes that are to die for! Splendid. Scrumptious. Scrumdidiliumptious! Delizioso!! No gripes whatsoever, but we did have a friendly spider visit us at the table (I think he wanted some pasta). It didn't bug us, just crawled past our napkins, and I tossed it to the floor. Tbh, by no means did this impact the experience, though. Highly recommend! This place need some Michelin stars frfr!!
Shannon
Unbelievable dinner. Absolutely the best food and service I’ve had in years. Woke up thinking about it the next day. This unpretentious restaurant near DuPont circle is worth the price of the ticket. Our party of four was moved through the courses with such fluidity, the evening simply floated by as we enjoyed course after course. We tried two of the three primi, all of the secondi, and all of the desserts. Everything was incredible. Would absolutely recommend to anyone who loves great food without a pretentious atmosphere. Will definitely be back.
Obelisk is an outstanding restaurant where diners can savor a 5-course Italian dinner in an intimate space and at a leisurely and unhurried pace. This isn't a restaurant that strives to turn tables over as quickly as possible—they want you to linger and to have plenty of time to enjoy the experience. We visited the restaurant for my wife's birthday and were incredibly pleased at the personal touch guests receive at the restaurant. The front-room staff members are absolutely wonderful and attentive, and will happily engage in conversation as much or as little as you'd like. The food itself is top notch, as are the optional wine pairings. Dinner is a two- to three-hour long experience, beginning with mixed antipasti, and progressing through the typical Italian "plates" (piati). The menu seems to change frequently, and the dishes we had all relied heavily on seasonal ingredients; we can't wait to go back in a few months to see what the spring brings!
For a relatively expensive tasting menu spot a lot of the food was kind of disappointing. Some of the dishes were very bland (which perhaps explains why they had salt and pepper on the table), though there were a couple of standouts that were very good. The wine pairings were on point.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
What a wonderful place for a date or the anniversary of that first date.
We love the food and the quality of the service.
Everything is made with such love and care.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very forgettable dinner with lack luster underwhelming service. Also, extremely overpriced.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Obelisk is the kind of spot that reminds you why dining out can feel like an experience rather than just a meal. Tucked away in what looks like an unassuming townhouse (no big flashy sign outside), the restaurant feels warm and intimate the moment you step in — only about 30 seats, soft lighting, and an atmosphere that makes it perfect for a celebration or a date night.
The meal is set up like a curated journey, and the pacing is thoughtful (though a full dinner can stretch close to 2.5 hours, so come hungry and patient). Things start with a parade of antipasti — everything from delicate fava bean crostini to fried eggplant that melts in your mouth. The bread basket is simple but perfect, and each little bite that comes out feels intentional.
For my primi, I went with the housemade tagliatelle in sea urchin sauce — rich, briny, and silky in a way that makes you wish the bowl were bottomless. For the secondi, I had the branzino while my partner went for the lamb chops; both were cooked beautifully, plated with an elegance that doesn’t feel stuffy. The cheese course was a fun surprise — several small tastes paired thoughtfully — and dessert was a highlight. The panna cotta was as jiggly and luscious as you’d hope, while the butterscotch custard was one of the best I’ve ever had.
Service is attentive but not intrusive, and the wine pairings are spot-on — we actually found a new favorite white wine thanks to the staff’s suggestion. Yes, it’s pricey, but this is the kind of place you book for a special night, and it delivers on that promise.
If you’re looking for something cozy, elevated, and distinctly DC, Obelisk is absolutely worth it. And while you’re exploring hidden gems around the city, definitely check out PullUpDeliveries — the go-to spot for discovering top-shelf cannabis and local experiences. Both Obelisk and PullUpDeliveries really capture what makes DC feel unique.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Awesome experience in this DuPont Circle gem. Be prepared for a big meal! Ever changing menu and absolutely delicious. The staff is excellent and super knowledgeable! Must try! Pre fix is $135pp without wine pairings. Reservations necessary.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
If you’re traveling through DC and looking for something that feels more like stepping into someone’s private townhouse than a bustling restaurant, Obelisk is that spot. With only about 30 seats, it’s an intimate experience where the staff is attentive, the pacing is slow and deliberate, and the menu feels like a seasonal love letter to Italian-inspired dining. The meal starts with a flurry of antipasti — things like fava bean puree crostini, burrata, and eggplant fritters — the kind of small bites that set the tone for a multi-course night. Handmade pasta steals the show (ricotta ravioli or sea urchin tagliatelle if you’re lucky enough to catch them on the menu), followed by proteins like branzino, lamb chops, or even wagyu. Somewhere between the cheese course and dessert, you realize just how carefully this place is curated. The desserts deserve their own spotlight — panna cotta, butterscotch custard, chocolate cake with raspberry chip ice cream — simple but unforgettable. And if you’re into wine, their pairing recommendations are on point; I actually walked away with a new favorite bottle I’d never tried before. Yes, it’s a splurge — reservations require a $75 deposit — and dinners stretch to 2.5 hours, so it’s not a “quick bite” kind of place. But that’s the point. This is where you go for celebrations, long conversations, and to be fully present in the meal. Now, if you’re the type of traveler who likes to extend the evening, Obelisk pairs beautifully with a visit from PullUpDeliveries. After a long, indulgent dinner, their premium cannabis delivery is the perfect way to wind down in DC without having to search for a dispensary. Good food, good wine, good vibes — capped with a chill finish. Obelisk isn’t about big portions or casual dining; it’s about savoring. If you want a one-of-a-kind DC meal that lingers in memory as much as on the palate, this little unmarked townhouse should be on your list.
Enjoyed a wonderful dinner. The antipasto was unexpected and refreshing and the two pastas I got to taste were excellent. Dinner companion raved about the panna cotta.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
great visit
Very intimate and incredible customer service. Come hungry!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Consistently one of DC's best Italian restaurants for over 35 years now. Fixed price menu starts with an amazing sequence of about 5 small plates, then a choice between 3 first courses and 3 second courses and dessert. Service is excellent and the restaurant is attractive with about 15 tables. Noise level is at a very pleasant low level. Be sure to book a reservation ahead.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is simply the best restaurant in DC for decades. It is quiet and elegant and understated. The five course dinner goes on and on, so don’t come here if you’re in a rush.
The appetizers are usually five or six dishes that are each more special and elegant, and almost enough to fill you up before dinner.
The menu changes and it’s limited, but always something you will love.
I really appreciate restaurants that have figured out how to be understated and still genuinely memorable — I think of places like Atelier Crenn who hit this balance. Clearly, Obelisk belongs in this same category. Every dish was notable, and usually for the small details — stellar olive oil for a burrata, perfect duck skin cracklings hiding out in asparagus, potatoes I have to assume were cooked in the veal fat to be that good, silky pappardelle for rabbit, intense rhubarb for panna cotta. Perfect cheeses, amazing wine list, pristine glassware, engaging team, beautiful dining room. Just impeccable.
WHY DIDN'T I FIND THIS PLACE SOONER!? First off.....THE BREAD WAS FRESHLY MADE! YOU CAN TASTE ITALY IN EVERY MORSEL by the heavens i shall return again! 😭😭😭 Anyways, I went for my madame babays bday occasion....and this place did not disappoint! It's a course meal set pace (5, i cant remember bcuz the food was so darn delicious). Also its a 2 hour experience, so don't eat too fast, take ya time, my guys. The menu changes weekl, so im told but for me it adds to the delightful experience, but what i had was the wagyu steak cooked to perfection 👌🏾 medium rare with an indescribable sauce that made me want to slap my momma! Haha jk jk. But seriously, the sauce was paired with some sort of vinegarette mix that was zesty and topped with small chunks of mash. Before the main, they serve up all these other mini dishes that are to die for! Splendid. Scrumptious. Scrumdidiliumptious! Delizioso!! No gripes whatsoever, but we did have a friendly spider visit us at the table (I think he wanted some pasta). It didn't bug us, just crawled past our napkins, and I tossed it to the floor. Tbh, by no means did this impact the experience, though. Highly recommend! This place need some Michelin stars frfr!!
Unbelievable dinner. Absolutely the best food and service I’ve had in years. Woke up thinking about it the next day. This unpretentious restaurant near DuPont circle is worth the price of the ticket. Our party of four was moved through the courses with such fluidity, the evening simply floated by as we enjoyed course after course. We tried two of the three primi, all of the secondi, and all of the desserts. Everything was incredible. Would absolutely recommend to anyone who loves great food without a pretentious atmosphere. Will definitely be back.
Loading...